"Vaalibangal Odum Vayathaaga Koodum
Aanaalum Anbu Maaraathathu…Maalaiyidum Sontham Mudi potta bandham
Pirivennum Solle Ariyaathathu…”
Anjana just woke up from her sleep. She looked into the clock, it was 9am. She had taken Pain killers and that had made her sleep long and still she felt tired. She thought Vinay would have left to office by that time. She had severe cold and fever and her body resisted from moving away from bed.
‘Anju … A very good morning dear. Sorry da had to leave to office early. Got lots of work at office today. In the table to your left, you could find the coffee Jar and the mug. I bet it would be the best you would have ever sipped lol . bare with it my dear!!! I have prepared bread omlettes and fruit salads for the breakfast and kept it on the dining table. Do have all four and also take the morning tablets kept nearby. Drink more water.
Hope your cold and fever are better, i just checked your temperature in the morning. It was slightly above normal, so nothing to worry dear. You’ll be fine soon. Lunch is in the kitchen. I know you hate to have oat meal and idlis when you’re sick.No worries White rice, sambhar and egg burgi is kept in separate hot packs. And your post lunch tabs are there in the study table. I have taken lunch with me in a Tiffin box and u need not worry about me da. eat well and take rest completely.
i have applied oil for you knees already . It’s getting better nowadays . so don’t strain much.!!!i will be at home by sharp 6 love you loads Darling - Hubby’
She knew about the contents but still she loved to read it everyday !!! :)
“ En Kanneer en thanneer ellaamae neeyanbae
En Inbam en thunbam ellaamae neeyanbae
En Vaazhvum en saavum un kannil asaivilae!!”
Slowly she got up from the bed ,limping towards the table to get the cofee. she poured it in the mug and moved to the Living room and sat near the Large Glass windows looking out at the streets.
It was Drizzling outside, but People were busy getting ready for their hectic day ! As she started sipping the coffee, she felt it to be the finest one ever and that took her back to the good old day when she met vinay for the first time !!!
Vinay had just arrived in the Chennai airport. He had been back from Newyork after 3 years working in there as Business consultant in a private firm after completing his MBA there. He lost his mom when he was 6 and his dad passed away 3 years back. That was the last time he came to Chennai.
His Grandparents were now in Adyar and he had come on vacation to see them. He was Planning to stay for a Month.. They were just waiting for him in front of the Arrival Gate. Vinay was so happy seeing them and came running towards them. He hugged his grandma
Vinay: ‘Janu!!!!!!!!!!! … Missed you so much!!!. How are you!!!’
Janaki (grandma): ‘Badava!!!!! Am fine and healthy. How are? You look so lean!!! only now you remembered about me and this old man huh?’
Vinayakam (grandpa):’how are you Junior!!!!
Vinay: too good senior. You still look handsome and young. Shall we look for a girl for you : P’
Janaki: ‘dey badava!!!'
Vinay: ‘don’t feel jealous janu!!! You too look young and beautiful!!!’
They started blushing and were so happy to see him after so many years and in tears of happiness. .
Vinay used to call them every day and talk to them about his day for hours, but still they missed him so much. After all he was the only one they had to care for and they were the ones he had to care for.
Rajiv and Karthik were also there. They were the best friends of vinay right from school days. All three went to the same school and college. Rajiv was working in Hyundai and Karthik in Accenture.
Rajiv: Macha!!! And they both hugged him, almost crushed him in happiness.
Vinay: how r u guys?’
Karthik: So far so good da. !!! But not anymore i guess Vinay just kicked him and they all moved to the car!!
Vinayakam had a Vintage Ambassador of 1960’s. Vinay loved the car . He just got reminded of the days when his grandpa taught him driving and how he used to take the car to roam in the ECR along with his friends bunking the classes and how he would get caught by his dad when the car gets repaired in the middle.
But now everything looked changed around the town. Traffic was very high and random. A complete contrast from what he used to see in newyork. But vinay liked it here. He loved Chennai. Grandpa was driving slow and they reached their apartments in two hours. It was 9 in the Morning.
Vinay was tired cos of the Jet lag. He went up into his room directly and laid on his bed. He slept for an hour and grandma woke him up for the breakfast. Vinay took a quick bath and came back to the dining table. Hot idlis , Sāmbhar and coconut chutney for the breakfast. Vinay was longing for this for years. 8 Idlis and still he was going on. ‘Janu give me more’ J:)
Janaki ma was so happy to serve him and Grandpa was sitting near him. Vinayak pa and janaki ma were showing some actions to each other and vinay could understand that they wanted to tell him something. Finally grandpa started the topic.
Grandpa: Vinay. How long is your vacation?
Vinay: A month senior.
Grandpa: oh.. Great! So we thought!!! …. and paused…
Vinay: grandpa!!!! Be frank . am your grandson . Why do you wanna hesitate in saying something to me? Tell me na janu!!!
Janaki: we were been looking for a girl for you Vinay and we want you to get married!!! Vinay Knew they would be asking this and they were really worried about him.
Vinay: Yes! Janu as u wish!!! :) Vinayak pa and janaki ma were surprised on the reply. They never thought he would agree to it so easily. They were so happy and Janaki ma came closer and kissed him on his forehead and vinayak pa was holding his hand and he was almost in tears. :)
Vinay: Easy Grandpa! Am here to do whatever that makes you both happy :)
Janaki: vinay. There is a girl from our Grandpa’s Native. She has just completed her engineering and her family looks good.And they have sent us the photo. Take a look and tell your opinion.
Vinay: Janu!!! I wish to see her directly and not in the photographs :) Let me see if some Magic Happens like in Movies: P
Janaki: If you wish we could go to our native and see her tomorrow.
Vinay: Pollachi??? Tomorrow???
Janaki: yes vinay. Tomorrow is an auspicious day… so… ..
He thought for a moment and said. Fine. Let me call karthi and arrange for the travel. It was not a shock for vinay as he had already guessed his grandparents Intentions while talking over the phone and he didn’t not want to disappoint them. He knew that would be a big relief for both and he was ready for it.
He had lunch at home and left with Karthik and Rajiv to roam around the city. Vinay, thought for a moment that he should have looked at the photo but consoled himself that it would be better to see her directly and loved this suspense. His mind was oscillating.
They took a cab and started to pollachi by that night. Vinay couldn’t sleep all night. He was all Imagining about her and on how should he dress up and talk to her and all such things. …. Anjana’s Mom passed away when she was 9 and she was brought up by her dad(Ramachandran). He was more of strict person. He got retired from Military when her wife passed away and took over a government job in pollachi . He cared for her a lot and never knew how to show it to her.
Anjana was a bit reserved and Calm girl. She respected her dad a lot. She also loved him but never knew how to show it to him. She did whatever her dad asked her to. She had just completed BE in Electronics and scored 85% on aggregate. Her dad wanted her to do Mtech but her horoscope suggested for a quick marriage. His relatives made up his Mind to get her married to someone from his relative circle.
Vinayakam Grandpa was the most respectable person in the Village in Pollachi and also a distant relative of Anjana’s Dad. So he had sent her photos and horoscope to Grandpa to look for a match for her. Janaki ma and grandpa liked her from the photo and they thought she would be a perfect match for vinay. The horoscopes were also matching.
Anjana had just returned from the temple. She was surprised to see all her relatives at home. All were busily preparing for something and her aunt (nalini) called her name loud on seeing her. She understood that they planning for something and ran towards her. Her aunt took her to her room and asked her to wear a good saree and get ready soon. Anju was so confused and she asked her.
Nalini Aunty told her about everything and she told they would be arriving in an hour. Anju was shocked to the core. She never thought it would happen all of a sudden. She was not ready for this. She had never questioned her dad before and never wanted to do it now . She was not interested in getting married so soon. She thought she was not matured enough for this.
Nalini aunty selected a blue Silk Saree for her to wear and left the room. Anju was almost in tears but she had to do it. She started to get ready slowly. Anju never had a habit of Over make up . she liked to be simple .
Karpagam was the Maid in Anju’s place and she was so close to Anju. She took care of her from her childhood days. Karpagam had a 7 year old daughter, Amutha . Amutha was Anju’s sole companion at home and she loved Amutha and also taught her her lessons and also paid for her fees at school.
Amutha didn’t realize what was happening around. She was playing with her ball. They were arranging the sweets and fruits in the Kitchen. Amutha was so excited seeing them and went near to take one. Nalini aunty caught her and scolded her not to touch them until the guests leave. Amutha was so disappointed and hurt. She was almost in tears when she left the house to the lawn outside.
Anju took the sweet and went up to her but she refused to get that. Anju felt really bad seeing Amutha sad..
Meantime two cars came into the gates and she had to move inside the house. Vinay, his grandparents and friends had arrived at Pollachi In the afternoon. Vinayakam grandpa’s house was in the centre of the Village near the temple (6 kms from pollachi). They quickly refreshed and started from there to Anju’s home along with Vinay’s uncle and family.
Anju’s house was 2kms by walk and 6kms by road from there and the road was horrible. While they were crossing a bridge, suddenly the cab which Vinay came in stopped suddenly. The driver came out and cheked for the cause. He was not able to get it.
Vinay was a Mechanical Engineer and had a lot of interest in automobiles. So he stepped down immediately to look into it. It was too hot out there and he was sweating but he was able to repair it and they started in 10 mins.while adjusting the engine belt ,vinay had cut his fingers and it started bleeding but he managed to cover it up . The grease and oil struck to his hands and he managed to wash it and wipe it with paper.
He thought ‘OMG am totally messed up now!! Will she like me :(…
As soon as they arrived anju’s relatives and her dad welcomed them inside the house.Vinay felt uncomfortable with the grease and oil in his hands, which eventually got into his face but he managed to put up a smile on his Face. After the formal introduction was over, Ravinder (vinay’s uncle) Started with the topic. He told about vinay and his qualification and about his family. Murali(Ramchandran’s brother) from his side told about Anjana and her dad and her qualifications. He also said they were happy to look for the guy from Vinayakam’s family and very happy that it was his grandson . They also shared the comments about the horoscope and all the formal takings was going on.
Vinay was very curious to look at Anjana after hearing from her relatives about her. He was looking at all the photographs that were hanged in the living room ,but all of them were taken some 10 to 15 years back. He could see anju’s cute and innocent smile in her childhood pics and was so desperately waiting to look at her. Murali Uncle called for Anjana.
Anjana then came in holding the plate containing the coffee tumblers. She was Simple and Beautiful in her blue saree. It suited her Fair Complexion. Vinay was almost swept away looking at her. The magic did happen at that Moment for him. She was not the prettiest girl he had ever seen but she she was so cute and homely and just the way vinay had dreamt of in years. She had a long hair properly tied up, She was of average height and slim. She hardly looked up at them and her eyes were rolling all the time looking below. She stood towards the corner along with her aunt.
And the background song started in Vinay’s heart and soul!!! :)
Unnai Paartha Pinbu Naan !!! Naanaga illaiyae !!!
En Ninaivu therinthu Naan Ithu pola illaiyae !!!!
Evalo Evalo Endru ithu Naal Irunthaen!!!!
Iravum pagam sinthithaen!!!!!!!!!
IvaIae Ivalae endru Ithayam thiranthaen !!!
Ilamai ilamai baathithaen!!!!
Vinay was in a dream world and suddenly felt struck in an earth quake It was Karthik who was shaking him.
Karhik: ‘Vinay!!!! Pothum da. Jollu !!! :P
Vinay started blushing and tried to make it up with a smile. Murali Uncle asked Vinay and Anjana to talk for some time alone before deciding and took them Outside. Vinay and anjana were too nervous.
Vinay tried to talk and struggled to bring out words. Anjana remained silent looking down. Finaly he started
Vinay: Hey! I’m Vinay. I did my Engineering in CIT, Coimbatore …. And he continued talking and anju was just listening and replying in one or two words. She was so nervous and almost shivering. Vinay could realize that and tried to make her ease but Anju’s cousins kept peeping out through windows in regular intervals and laughing
Vinay told her about the Car repair incident and that’s why he was so messed up.. he was almost blabbering. Anjana’s just smiled at that and vinay felt so happy on that. She also noted that cut in his fingers and could see it bleeding. Anjana started to ask him about that, just when Ravinder uncle along with Murali uncle and nalini aunty came out and Nalini aunty took her in.
Vinay was furious looking at Ravinder uncle laughing with murali uncle. He thought to himself 'uncle gonna kill you today for sure . she just started to talk something… and you spoiled it :( '
He looked through the Garden and saw Amutha sitting in the corner in a small bench.
Vinay asked Murali uncle about her and he told she was the Maid’s daughter and told about the incident that made her upset. Murali was a soft person and loved both Anjana and Amutha. they were like his daughters.
Amutha was looking dull. Vinay was always fond of kids. He went to her and sat near her. She never reacted and looked down. Anjana came back to her room to adjust her hair. And she looked out from the windows to see what vinay was doing with Amutha.
Vinay: Hi!!! My Name is Vinay. What’s your name?
Amutha ( in a dull voice): Amutha.
Vinay: Sweet name and which standard are you from ?
Amutha: First STD ‘B’..
Vinay: J good. she seemed not interested in the conversation .
Vinay: Do you like Magic? Shall I show you some Magic?
Amutha just looked up and slightly tilted her head. Vinay pulled a grass and Kept in his hands covered and rubbed it and showed it in front of her. He asked her to open his arms. She hesitated for a Moment and then tried to open it. Vinay released his hands and there was a Diary Milk in it and asked her to take it.
she asked him to do it again and he did the same. Amutha was surprised seeing that and see took it in hands and hugged vinay :)‘ Amutha: ‘Thanks Uncle :)’
Anjana was looking at this and smiled to herself and she immediately went to the backside of her home.
Vinay lifted her on his shoulders and carried her to the front side of the house. By that time Vinay’s family members and friends came out. They were ready to Leave and vinay just wanted to look at anjana for once. He searched for her but couldn’t find her. Amutha ran inside to Anjana.
Anju gave her a small container and asked her to give that to Vinay. Vinay’s family members got into the cars and he was the last to get in. And the Car started moving. Amutha came out running and shouting. Vinay asked the driver to stop the car and dropped out . She came running towards Vinay and handed him the container .Vinay asked her what it was .
Amutha: anju ka gave you this and asked you to apply it in your fingers , thrice a day.
Vinay: where is she now :)? Amutha showed her hands towards the Balcony, upstairs and ran away. Vinay opened the container and found the some crushed leaves properly grinded into a paste . He looked towards the Terrace and saw her leaning over the Pillars.As soon as he looked, she hided herself . :)
Vinay Was Deeply in Love with her...
”Yen jeevan jeevan neethaney
Yena thondrum neram idhuthane
Nee illai illai yendraleYen nenjam nenjam thaangadhey”
He pushed himself into the car and the cars left the place. Anjana’s Relatives and her dad liked vinay and his family. But her dad was not sure whether she would agree . He had never told about this to her earlier and thought she would not be interested. He went to her room and anjana was sitting there. He went near her .
Anju’s dad: ‘anjana! Am sorry for this sudden arrangement. Murali uncle and Nalini aunty were forcing me to this. I had to agree to this. But now it all depends on your decision.This is not like other things ma. You should not be afraid of telling me , If you don’t like this ,you can directly say that to me and I can stop things as it is’
Before he could finish,
Anjana Replied ‘I really Like him dad ’
Her dad was surprised to see her daughter talking out to him and he felt so happy. It took few seconds for him to get back from the sweet shock .Anju’s dad: Am so happy ma. I’ll tell this good news to others here and come :)
She was already in Love with him :).
Vinay never liked to go back. He was still in the dream…
He thought’ she is Gonna be Mine and Mine Forever!!!!’
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waiting fr d next! :)